The Soldier’s Seed, the first book of the Southern Skyes family saga, is a novel that captures the wide range of relationships between colonial, convict, and indigenous families during the tumultuous events that defined the early penal colonies of Australia.
In this sweeping story of love and loss, fortune and fate, this masterful storyteller recounts the journeys of the McCabe and Skye families, along with the people who shape their lives, as they strive to make good in the penal colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land during the early 1800s. The saga chronicles the two families’ trials and triumphs, joys and injustices, and the inner torment as their lives come full circle and old secrets are revealed.
The epic begins with the love of a soldier in the New South Wales Corps for a high-spirited convict woman, but tragedy leads him to the arms of a beautiful native woman. From these unions arise generations of proud Australians who play their part in forging the Great Southern Land. The story of these courageous men and women, their dreams, their dynasty, and the heritage they share is as unique as the land from which they sprang. Southern Skyes brings Australia's history to life with compelling characters, rendering the Australian landscape in all its rugged magnificence.
Nicholas Thomas, a soldier in the New South Wales Corps, loathes his life in Sydney Town and through a series of events of his own making he finds himself running from his past to what could be an even worse fate. While pioneering a new settlement that encounters one problem after another, he struggles to find his true self and identify what he really wants from life . . . until he meets a woman a soldier shouldn't love. When tragedy strikes, he is forced to make choices that will affect his descendants for decades to come.
Professional Reviews
A Thrilling Adventure
I was lucky enough to received an ARC of this book, and I am really glad I did. The rich history this novel offers is both compelling and captivating. I enjoyed the characters and feeling like I was going along with them for their journey. I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this, and that's refreshing; so many stories these days have a similar plot and a predictable ending, and that makes The Soldier's Seed stand out from the rest in its genre.
A unique vision of history and a story well told
A beautifully written story solidly built on historical fact. The characters and thier motivations are so well described that the media disapears and the story takes over. A little rushed in parts but a subtle optimism transfuses momentous and tragic events in a very satisfying way.
A Must Read
All the previous reviews are spot on about this book! The author is a true story teller taking you on a journey willingly by the turn of the first page. This journey shows the true strength and craftsmanship of the author when the story places us in a moment of Australian history that is still rarely talked about, you are there and you cannot help but feel honest emotion and sorrow. A must read for the lovers of a well written novel. WELL DONE.
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